New Records of Entomopathogenic Fungi from Oak Lace Bug, <i>Corythucha arcuata</i> (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) with Emphasis on the Genus <i>Cordyceps</i>

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are natural pathogens of arthropods that can be used widely as environmentally friendly biological control agents. The process of infection by EPF is initiated when the conidia attach to the epicuticle of the host, whereas other agents must be ingested to cause an infection. EPF can infect all developmental stages of insects, which makes them ideal candidates for controlling sap-feeding insects like the oak lace bug Corythucha arcuata (OLB). Several species of EPF have already been found on OLBs in Croatia, including Beauveria pseudobassiana as the most common one. In this research, we confirm the presence of EPF on OLB found at different locations of lowland oak forests in Croatia and report, for the first time, natural fungal infections of OLB by Cordyceps fumosorosea , Cordyceps farinosa , Cordyceps cateniannulata , and Akanthomyces muscarius . To recommend these fungi as potential biocontrol agents towards OLB, their pathogenic ability still needs to be evaluated.